Everything you need to know about living, working or studying in Montreal

The city of Montreal is divided into 19 boroughs, within which there are several distinct neighbourhoods (for example, the Little Italy district is located in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough).

The list of neighbourhoods presented below is far from exhaustive. Each one has advantages and disadvantages and might suit one person but not another. This chapter will allow you to understand the characteristics of the different Montreal neighbourhoods, although nothing beats your own experience! Explore them when you arrive, ideally on foot, so you can get a good feel for what they are really like.

We don’t go into detail about the amount of rent you’ll need to pay in the different areas but to learn more, take a look at our guide to The cost of living in Canada.

The eastern neighbourhoods of Montreal

Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie and Little Italy

These neighbourhoods in eastern Montreal are generally lively and commercial but still family-friendly. Plaza Saint-Hubert, the street that separates Little Italy from Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, is full of shops and small restaurants.

Little Italy is one of Montreal’s iconic neighbourhoods, where you’ll find the best Italian grocery stores, pizzerias and sports bars to watch the football! It’s not uncommon to hear Italian spoken here. Little Italy is bordered by one of North America’s largest open-air public markets, the Jean Talon Market, which is open year-round.

The Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district is known for being mostly residential; it’s the third most populous neighbourhood in Montreal. Promenade Masson is a lively street located in the heart of Rosemont, with plenty of choice for cafes, bistros and boutique stores.

Villeray and Park Extension

The Villeray district is considered a cool and up-and-coming neighbourhood. People are flocking to Villeray for its independent and creative business and eateries.

Park Extension is named after Avenue du Parc and is a multicultural district, with nearly 70% of its population coming from an immigrant background and speaking many languages other than French or English. Here, you will be able to try a diverse mix of restaurants and bakeries.

Le Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End

Le Plateau Mont-Royal is one of the most popular boroughs in Montreal and also one of the most densely populated boroughs in the entirety of Canada. Starting from working-class roots in the 1950s, today it is a rather wealthy neighbourhood. The area has a lot of upscale restaurants and shops, and the lifestyle is rich too! It’s home to the French Quarter for long-term expatriates and commuters. Housing in Le Plateau is generally more expensive than the rest of the city.

If you want to escape the urban noise of the city, you can take a walk in one of the many parks, like Mount Royal Park or La Fontaine Park. In winter, you can go ice skating and cross-country skiing.

The houses are a typical Montreal design and give the Plateau its charm, combining symmetry with beautiful colours. Streets are tree-lined, making it pleasant in any weather.

For street art lovers, you can admire the murals, mainly around Saint Laurent Boulevard. At the beginning of summer, catch the Mural Festival dedicated to this art form.

Some popular spots with locals and tourists alike:

• Schwartz’s Deli: You’ll find smoked meat sandwiches in this restaurant. Due to its popularity, it’s not uncommon to have to queue for a seat in this small restaurant.
• La Banquise: This restaurant will introduce you to poutine, a typical Montreal dish, available with different toppings to suit all tastes.
• L’Avenue: You’ll definitely have to queue before you can try brunch at this restaurant, but it’ll be worth the wait. On weekends, a line forms from opening time in front of the restaurant.

Mile End is located between Saint Laurent Boulevard and Park Avenue. It’s both family-friendly and trendy, continuing on from the vibes of Le Plateau. You can feel the influences from the Greek and Jewish communities. Mile End is renowned for being one of the hearts of Montreal’s art scene. You’ll also find an Indie scene with vintage shops on Rue Bernard.

Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Historically, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve was industrial and made up of the French-speaking working class. Nowadays, this neighbourhood is mostly residential. There are still things to see and do, such as Maisonneuve Park, where the Olympic Stadium, the Biodome and the magnificent Botanical Gardens are located. You can also find good shopping in Maisonneuve Market and Sainte-Catherine Street East.

Although the neighbourhood doesn’t have the best reputation, it is gentrifying and the scene is becoming more eclectic, with new businesses opening up and green spaces being maintained.

The central districts

The Village

To quote Montreal’s tourism website directly, “The Village, one of the most important LGBTQ+ districts in North America, is a crossroads of diversity and inclusivity.” The nightlife here is second to none and perfect for partygoers (no matter your sexual orientation!). Sainte-Catherine Street is transformed in summertime, and The Village is taken over by the Pride March every year. Note that Montreal is generally an LGBTQ+ friendly city.

Downtown

​The city centre (or Downtown) is typical of North American cities, with skyscrapers that are occupied more so by offices than housing. Accommodation here is not that accessible or affordable, so living downtown is a real luxury: you’re a few minutes walk from the main shopping streets and bars, and you probably won’t have a big commute to your workplace.

Old Montreal and the Old Port

Old Montreal, where the Old Port is located, is undoubtedly the most touristy district of the city. Every year, tourists flock to the quays of the Old Port (and visit its Ferris wheel!), enjoy the beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River or visit the historic stone buildings to relive 500 years of history. Many festivals take place in Old Montreal, including Igloofest.

Chinatown

The Chinese quarter is close to the Old Port. Even though the neighbourhood is only made up of a few streets, the atmosphere here is special. You’ll find any Asian products you need in Chinatown and, of course, the market.

The Latin Quarter and The Quartier des Spectacles

These two neighbourhoods are central and busy with students. They remain major cultural hotspots in Montreal and are home to a large number of performance halls and cinemas. Rue Saint-Denis is lined with numerous apartments, fine-dining restaurants, trendy cafes and striking architecture. This is where young artists and designers come to hang out and gain inspiration.

Rue Saint-Denis is also where the Berri-UQAM metro station is located, where three metro lines intersect (making this a busy place), the bus station and the national library (BANQ).

The western neighbourhoods of Montreal

Verdun

Located southwest of Montreal, between the Aqueduct Canal and the St. Lawrence River, the Verdun district is attracting more and more people.

Although it seems far away from the rest of the city, you can get downtown in a few stops on the metro or with the numerous buses.

Verdun has many parks, most of which are on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. These are covered by cycle paths and sports fields (tennis, baseball, football, etc.). It’s easy to escape after a day of work, get some fresh air and completely forget that you are in one of Canada’s largest cities.

Wellington Street runs through the entire neighbourhood. This is THE street, where you will find everything you need to shop or enjoy the nightlife. Wellington Street hosts events all year round and temporarily becomes pedestrianised to make the most of the activities on offer when the weather brightens up.

Many families decide to live in Verdun for the quality of life offered. On the other hand, it is better to have a car to be able to get around easily, especially if you want to go somewhere other than Downtown.

Some popular spots:

• Le Benelux: Pub with a large selection of global beers to taste and a superb terrace.
• Bagel St-Lo: Serves fresh bagels that are always hot and crispy.
• Bar Palco: Huge choice of signature cocktails and a collection of board games upstairs.

Outremont and Westmount

Outremont is an upscale neighbourhood, traditionally made up of affluent French-speakers. It’s the smallest of Montreal’s boroughs and is located at the foot of Mount Royal. The area is mostly residential, with upscale boutiques and restaurants, and the Théâtre Outremont.

Westmount is a landlocked municipality and administratively separated from Montreal. Formerly populated by the British (and therefore mostly English-speaking), Westmount is gradually opening up to the wealthy French-speaking community. The architecture is sometimes reminiscent of London. Westmount Park and its tropical greenhouse are worth a visit.

Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is one of the Montreal boroughs that welcomes many immigrants: the cultural diversity here is impressive. Since the campuses of UDEM, Polytechnique and HEC are located here, this borough is popular with students. The Saint-Joseph Oratory and the immense Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery are must-sees for any visitor to Montreal.

The Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district (often abbreviated “NDG”) is particularly lively, especially on Rue Sherbrooke. Monkland Village offers a beautiful stroll through the heart of the Victorian houses in this district.

Saint-Henri, Little Burgundy and Griffintown

The districts of Saint-Henri and Little Burgundy are predominantly English-speaking. Shops and restaurants are located on Notre-Dame Street, including the Atwater market (a must-visit in summer, when the street food stands are out!). Stroll or cycle along the Lachine Canal.

Griffintown is more “chic”: the neighbourhood is close to Downtown Montreal and the Lachine Canal.

Across these neighbourhoods, gentrification has led to the construction of numerous condos along the canal, but you can still find reasonably priced rents, considering the proximity to the city centre.

Lachine

The Lachine district is still relatively unknown, but the secret is getting out more and more! Lachine is made up of the area extending from Lake Saint-Louis to the west of Downtown. Lachine is a unique neighbourhood, full of green spaces and close to nature and the beaches. The Lachine district is undergoing rapid change and several associations are trying to revitalise the area, so that more businesses will return to it. Like all neighbourhoods in the southwest, Lachine is becoming gentrified and rent prices are increasing.

The suburbs

Many Montrealers choose to move to the south or north shores in order to live in a detached house or to have a quieter pace of life. The public transport network does reach the suburbs; however, if you live out here, you’ll have to travel a lot every day, whether by car, metro or bus. During rush hour, the bridges crossing the St. Lawrence River are congested and traffic jams are significant.

The suburbs are worth considering if you want to have a more peaceful life, but buying a car quickly becomes essential. Vieux-Longueuil is a good option to base yourself, as it’s near the metro stop.

Are there any neighbourhoods to avoid?

​Montreal remains a safe city. However, Montréal-Nord (Montreal North) is probably not the ideal neighbourhood to settle down in. There may be successive waves of violence (in particular, shootings between “gangs”), as it’s home to more of the disadvantaged population.

Don’t let prejudice get in your way and be sure to make your own opinion before you commit to a neighbourhood long-term.